A hit musical parody of the iconic sitcom Friends is coming to Australia in 2021 and the stellar cast has just been announced.
It’s the news that could make your day, your month, even your year. Friends! The Musical Parody was a hit first in New York and Las Vegas, which both make a lot of sense. Now the cast for its Australian run has been revealed.
Belinda Jenkin (50 Shades! The Musical Parody, Top Gun the Musical) will play Phoebe, acclaimed musical theatre performer Stefanie Jones (Muriel’s Wedding, The Sound of Music) has won the role of Monica, and Sarah Krndija (As You Like It, Sunday In The Park With George) will be Rachel.
Recent VCA Graduate Joseph Spanti (Spring Awakening, Netflix’s Dive Club) will play Joey, Tyran Stig makes his professional debut in the role of Ross, and award-winning actor Rowan Witt (The Book of Mormon, South Pacific) will play Chandler. Shakespearean actor Chris Huntly-Turner (A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Merchant of Venice at Pop-up Globe) will play Rachel’s true love Gunther.
Those are some big shoes to fill – even Gunther’s – but it’s basically also the role of a lifetime. Hamming it up as Chandler? Could life BE any better?
“After auditioning hundreds of performers for these iconic roles we couldn’t be more thrilled with this incredibly talented cast who will be bringing our favourite friends to life on stage,” said producer Sam Klingner. “It’s almost a year since we started auditioning, so the cast, creatives and I simply cannot wait to get into the rehearsal room and take a trip back to the 90’s.”
The Australian premiere will take place at The Star Gold Coast on February 11th, 2021. Shows in all of the major cities will then follow. With that mad Ratatouille TikTok musical heading to Broadway and now Friends coming Down Under, maybe theatre isn’t dead after all.
Friends! The Musical Parody celebrates the misadventures of our favourite group of 20-something pals as they navigate the pitfalls of work, life and love in New York City in the 90’s. It promises to be a loving send up of one of the biggest sitcoms of all time.
The musical plucks the best and most hilarious moments from the show’s 10-year run and recreates them through an uncensored, fast-paced music-filled romp.
Friends! The Musical Parody will be directed by Dash Kruck, with choreography by Cameron Mitchell, set and costume design by Frances Hannaway, lighting design by Jason Glenwright and musical direction by Steven Kreamer.
It’s the next best thing to an actual Friends reunion. That has been long in the making but it looks like 2021 could genuinely be the year. We’re not joking, see for yourself.
And please, if you do go: don’t boo Ross. He doesn’t deserve that much hate.
Note: This performance is recommended for mature audiences aged 12+
Friends! The Musical Parody Season Details:
GOLD COAST
Venue: The Star Gold Coast
Performance Dates: Thursday 11th – Saturday 13th February 2021
Ticket Price: $79.90*
Bookings: www.ticketek.com.au or 07 5592 8303
MELBOURNE
Venue: Comedy Theatre, Melbourne
Performance Dates: Wednesday 16th – Saturday 19th June
Ticket Price: $79.90*
Bookings: ticketmaster.com.au or 1300 111 011
BRISBANE
Venue: Tivoli Theatre, Fortitude Valley
Performance Dates: Thursday 19th – Saturday 21st August
Ticket Price: $79.90*
Bookings: ticketmaster.com.au or 136 100
SYDNEY
Venue: Riverside Theatres, Parramatta
Performance Dates: Thursday 2nd – Saturday 4th September
Ticket Price: $79.90*
Bookings: riversideparramatta.com.au or (02) 8839 3399
ADELAIDE
Venue: Her Majesty’s Theatre
Performance Dates: Friday 24th September
Ticket Price: $79.90*
Bookings: bass.net.au or 131 246
PERTH
Venue: Regal Theatre
Performance Date: Saturday 16th October
Ticket Price: $79.90*
Bookings: ticketek.com.au or 132 849
*Ticket prices include GST and Service Fees. Transaction Fees from $7.30 may apply
Check out the official Friends! The Musical Parody cast announcement:
